Cardiff Council is looking at ways to improve the reporting, monitoring, surveillance and action taken against those who fly-tip waste in Cardiff, among which is the idea of using new infrared cameras at known fly tipping hotspots.
Cardiff Council’s Cabinet will discuss a range of further measures to tackle this illegal activity at its meeting on June 15, including:
- Using amended legislation to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) of £400 for small scale incidents against first time offenders
- Increase surveillance using new infrared cameras at known fly tipping hotspots
- Working closer with Natural Resources Wales to report, monitor and share intelligence on the illegal dumping of waste.
Fly-tipping costs the tax payer approximately £230,000each year in Cardiff. Natural Resources Wales is responsible for all large-scale fly tipping incidents in Wales, but local authorities are tasked with dealing with smaller scale incidents.
Cabinet Member for Clean Streets and Recycling, Cllr Michael Michael, said: “In Cardiff, we often see household waste being dumped illegally and at the moment, we can’t issue an FPN for fly tipping. Instead, cases must be taken to court and is a person is found guilty of committing a fly tipping offence they can be fined up to £50,000 or be sent to prison for up to 12 months, or both.
Cllr Michael Michael – “Bringing in these additional measures doesn’t mean that we will not bring persistent offenders to court, if it is deemed necessary… We will be trialling different types of infrared camera which can be used overtly and covertly to catch fly tipping in action.”
The use of the Fixed Penalty Notices will be a more proportionate way to deal with small scale fly-tipping incidents for one off offenders, rather than taking these matters to the Magistrates’ Court, the Cllr said.
“By bringing in the amended legislation, I am asking my cabinet colleagues to consider a penalty of £400 for these offences – without the chance of an early repayment discount – to send a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
The Council provides an extensive kerbside waste collection service and all larger household waste items can be disposed of free of charge at the Household Waste Recycling Centres. If residents do not have a car, the Council also offers a service where it can collect larger household items from people’s homes, and if this waste is recyclable then the collection is free.
“Bringing in these additional measures doesn’t mean that we will not bring persistent offenders to court, if it is deemed necessary,” he said. “We will be trialling different types of infrared camera which can be used overtly and covertly to catch fly tipping in action.
“The Council is also developing a new app so that residents can report fly-tipping incidents to the Council more easily and through closer working with Natural Resources Wales, improving our systems and sharing intelligence through shared software we will collectively improve the situation.”
“Residents have a duty of care to ensure that waste removed from their property is disposed of correctly. If it is found fly tipped, the resident can be liable for prosecution.
“Residents are advised that they should ask for proof that the person removing waste form their property is a registered waste carrier. Details of the person’s name and the company name should be taken and a receipt should be given explaining the amount paid for the waste disposal and where it is being taken to.
“Residents are also asked to take details of the vehicle removing the waste including the make of the vehicle, the colour and the registration details.”
